Sometimes these ponderings will be from Caunes, and sometimes from Yorkshire.

Sunday, 31 May 2015

Barcelona, briefly.

From Parc Guell, overlooking the city

Our 3 nights in Barcelona were lovely. The weather was perfect, the hotel ( whilst accommodating us in some very small, but high ceilinged rooms) was perfectly located, and we managed a great combination of exploring and mooching from coffee stop to ice cream stop to wine ( and some excellent gin) and food stops. It began with the TGV from Narbonne, meaning we had no worry about car parking or driving around Barcelona. The top speed it reached, just before Figueras was 301 kms an hour. The rest of the journey was a little more leisurely, but the whole journey took just 2 hours. So, we arrived in the city, relaxed and ready for adventure.

Mark and Steve, walking faster than Jane and I, on la rambla.

Over the next few days we strolled along the ramblas, we walked on the beach, we paddled in the sea ( well, some of us did ), we marvelled at the Gothic area, revisited past haunts ( the marina for Jane and Steve, where they kept a boat, a few years ago, and various spots we remembered taking Jess when she was 6 months old ), and of course, took in plenty of Gaudi.

Cannot believe I went on this 23 years ago. I was much braver then.

Rather than waxing lyrically about all we saw, I have selected a few photos to try to sum it all up.

Me, not doing heights very well, on the rooftops of Gaudi's "La Pedrera"

Remembering Jess in a push chair, in this square.

Parc Guell

Parc Guell

The Sagrada Familia..... had to hold my tongue when I overheard a mother telling her children that the cranes were cleaning it, so it all looked as clean as the white bits....to return it to how it looked when it was built in 1830..... aggghhhh ! The teacher in me wanted to put them right......but in true Frozen style I "...let it go "

Oh my, what a great glass of gin, Janice. I want one too! Barcelona is definitely on my wish list too - more so since one of our sons was there a few weeks back. Absolutely love the Gaudi - all of it! You are looking really great, and very well :) xx

There is nothing quite like a gigantic glass of gin is there ! Barcelona was wonderful, and the Gaudi has sparked a fascination with mosaics.....the craft corner is now full of tiles and glue and plaster, and plans for great things ! Jx

I get the collywobbles too when I'm perched up on a great height. I didn't used to and it's my theory that it started when I had children - my imagination about "what might happen" went into overdrive!

Barcelona has always been 'briefly' for me, but always pleasurable. I used to stay there overnight waiting for the ferry to take me to Ibiza before the airport was built. Your photos make me think that a return visit is long overdue! How excellent to be able to get on the train and be whisked straight there in just two hours.

What a super trip, Janice! I've never been to Barcelona (nor even to Spain) an omission I must put right one day. Perhaps the enormous gins are meant to settle people's nerves after the heights of the rooftops and cable cars. ;-)

I wasnt good on the roof top, and wonder how on earth I ever got on that cable car 20 odd years ago. However, Barcelona is worth the suffering ! It is such a vibrant city, and there is so much to see. The gins certainly helped, I have to admit. jx

About Me

In September 2011 after years of staring longingly in French estate agency windows ..... we finally bought a house 20 minutes drive from Carcassonne, intending to divide our lives between Hebden Bridge and Caunes Minervois. Things haven't worked out quite as we imagined, as I was diagnosed with cancer last October. Following surgery and follow up treatment we are now working hard on my recovery, and are spending time in the two places we love.... Caunes Minervois and Hebden Bridge